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United States Patent |
5,279,284
|
Fenn
|
January 18, 1994
|
Skin stimulation device
Abstract
A device for stimulating the skin of an individual by an applicator which
has a head containing solenoid-operated plungers. The solenoids' windings
are duty-cycle operated by associated oscillator/driver circuits to cause
their plungers to repeatedly impact the skin with relatively small force
impulses so that the skin as distinguished from muscles is affected. By
repeated minute stimulation of the skin in the vicinity of pain, a
hypnotic type of effect that can alleviate pain symptoms has been found to
occur. The solenoids are operated in particular modes which are other than
one in which all solenoids are simultaneously energized and de-energized
in unison.
Inventors:
|
Fenn; Gordon W. (Dundee, MI)
|
Assignee:
|
Frontier, Inc. (Dundee, MI)
|
Appl. No.:
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775729 |
Filed:
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October 11, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
601/108 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61H 023/00 |
Field of Search: |
128/44,51-55
606/201,204
200/DIG. 2
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3944843 | Mar., 1976 | Vaz Martins | 200/DIG.
|
4069659 | Jan., 1978 | Harris et al. | 200/DIG.
|
4069816 | Jan., 1978 | Yamamura | 128/55.
|
4088128 | May., 1978 | Mabuchi | 128/55.
|
4549535 | Oct., 1985 | Wing | 128/55.
|
4566442 | Jan., 1986 | Mabuchi et al. | 128/55.
|
4779615 | Oct., 1988 | Frazier | 128/54.
|
4827914 | May., 1989 | Kamazawa | 128/55.
|
4991568 | Feb., 1991 | Lin | 128/52.
|
5088474 | Feb., 1992 | Mabuchi et al. | 128/52.
|
5092316 | Mar., 1992 | Taylor et al. | 128/53.
|
Primary Examiner: Hafer; Robert A.
Assistant Examiner: Hanlon; Brian E.
Claims
What is claimed as the invention is:
1. A device for stimulating a zone of human skin comprising an applicator
having a head for confronting the skin, plural solenoids disposed on said
applicator in an array in the vicinity of said head, each of said
solenoids having a plunger that comprises a tip end which projects away
from said head for imparting stimulus to the skin by repetitively
impacting the skin in response to the repetitive energization and
de-energization of the plunger's solenoid, said device comprising an
electric circuit board assembly containing electric circuitry thereon for
repetitively energizing and de-energizing each of said solenoids, means
for supplying electric power to said electric circuitry, and said electric
circuitry comprising plural solenoid drivers each of which is individual
to an individual associated one of said solenoids for selectively
energizing and de-energizing the associated solenoid independently of the
energization and de-energization of the other solenoids by their solenoid
drivers, and means for operating said solenoid drivers in at least one
mode of operation which is other than one in which all solenoids are
simultaneously energized and de-energized in unison, and further
containing D.C. battery means providing a self-contained electric power
supply for operating said solenoids via said electric circuitry, said
applicator comprising a hand-held housing containing said head, said
solenoids, said electric circuit board assembly, and said D.C. battery
means, and in which said head and housing are both electrical conductors
that are electrically separated by an insulator, and said device contains
touch switch means that is connected respectively to said housing and to
said head and that is actuated by a conductive path through a user's body
when the user grasps the housing and places a portion of the head in
contact with the skin, and in which said touch switch means is operatively
connected with said electric circuitry such that when said touch switch
means is so actuated, said solenoid drivers are operated by said electric
circuitry.
2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said head and said housing are
arranged such that said head faces laterally of a lengthwise axis of said
housing.
3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said plungers each comprises a
cylinder having a diameter within the range of 0.030 inch to 0.200 inch
and a stroke within the range of 0.020 inch to 0.100 inch, and in which
said solenoid drivers cause said plungers to reciprocate at a frequency
within the range of 2 hertz to 1,000 hertz.
4. A device for stimulating a zone of human skin comprising an applicator
having a head for confronting the skin, plural solenoids disposed on said
applicator in an array in the vicinity of said head, each of said
solenoids having a plunger that comprises a tip end which projects away
from said head for imparting stimulus to the skin by repetitively
impacting the skin in response to the repetitive energization and
de-energization of the plunger's solenoid, said device comprising an
electric circuit board assembly containing electric circuitry thereon for
repetitively energizing and de-energizing each of said solenoids, means
for supplying electric power to said electric circuitry, and said electric
circuitry comprising plural solenoid drivers each of which is individual
to an individual associated group of at least one of said solenoids for
selectively energizing and de-energizing the associated group
independently of the energization and de-energization of the other groups
by their solenoid drivers, and means for operating said solenoid drivers
in at least one mode of operation which is other than one in which all
solenoids are simultaneously energized and de-energized in unison, said
device containing D.C. battery means providing a self-contained electric
power supply for operating said solenoids via said electric circuitry,
said applicator comprising a hand-held housing containing said head, said
solenoids, said electric circuit board assembly, and said D.C. battery
means, in which said head and housing are both electrical conductors that
are electrically separated by an insulator, and said device contains touch
switch means that is connected respectively to said housing and to said
head and that is actuated by a conductive path through a user's body when
the user grasps the housing and places a portion of the head in contact
with the skin, and in which said touch switch means is operatively
connected with said electric circuitry such that when said touch switch
means is so actuated, said solenoid drivers are operated by said electric
circuitry.
5. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said head and said housing are
arranged such that said head faces laterally of a lengthwise axis of said
housing.
6. A device as set forth in claim 4 in which said plungers each comprises a
cylinder having a diameter within the range of 0.030 inch to 0.200 inch
and a stroke within the range of 0.020 inch to 0.100 inch, and in which
said solenoid drivers cause said plungers to reciprocate at a frequency
within the range of 2 hertz to 1,000 hertz.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for non-invasively stimulating the skin
of an individual for therapeutic purposes, and in particular to a device
of that character which, although electrically operated, acts
mechanically, rather than electrically, on the skin.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Numerous devices for the non-invasive therapeutic treatment of the human
body have been proposed. Many of these are of the class that may be
generally referred to as massaging devices or vibrators which act through
the skin on subcutaneous body structure, for example muscles and joints,
with the objective of promoting comfort, relaxation, and/or relief for the
individual. This general technical field also contains devices that are
specifically for stimulating the skin.
Examples of known devices are represented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,479,253;
3,968,789; 4,085,738; 4,777,943; and 4,788,968 which developed in
preliminary novelty searching conducted in connection with the present
invention.
The present invention relates to a new and unique device for therapeutic
treatment of the human body which performs in a manner unlike any other of
which the inventor is aware. The invention involves the discovery that it
is possible to obtain some form of pain relief by the stimulation of the
skin using particular methodologies. While reasons for this effect are
presently not fully known to the inventor, it is the inventor's belief
that these particular methodologies induce a physiological response that
masks at least to some extent the pain for which relief is sought. And
although the inventor's experimental testing to date has involved only a
limited number of subjects, the results obtained suggest that the general
population can in many cases obtain a benefit from the invention.
In a general way, the methodologies involving principles of the invention
comprise the non-invasive stimulation of a zone of the skin by
repetitively impacting it with the rounded tip ends of small
solenoid-operated plungers that are operated in a pattern which is other
than the simultaneous energization and de-energization of all of the
plungers. Rather, the plungers are selectively energized and de-energized
according to certain patterns, which will be subsequently described in
detail. By subjecting a treatment zone to such procedures for a certain
limited amount of time, the inventor has found that an individual may
obtain a certain amount of relief during, and even for an extended time
beyond termination of, the treatment. While it is believed that devices
which embody the principles of the invention can be useful to many
individuals who seek relief from certain types of discomfort or pain, such
devices may be used for relaxation or skin stimulation purposes alone in
the absence of underlying discomfort.
Devices embodying the principles of the invention are well suited for
mass-production fabrication as so to enable them to be made available to
the public at reasonable cost. The non-invasive character of the devices
is calculated to promote their acceptance by consumers for personal use
outside of a professional treatment environment although it is expected
that treating professionals will find such devices to be beneficial for
certain forms of patient treatment.
Principles of the invention relating to its constructional as well as its
methodological aspects will be seen by the reader in the ensuing detailed
description of a presently preferred embodiment. The disclosure is
accompanied by drawings which illustrate a presently preferred embodiment
according to the best mode contemplated at this time for carrying out the
invention. In the drawing figures like reference numerals are used to
designate like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic side elevational view, partly exploded and
sectioned away, of a first embodiment of device according to the inventive
principles.
FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrows 2--2 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an electric schematic diagram of a portion of the electric
circuitry of the device.
FIG. 4 is a semi-schematic side elevational view partly sectioned away of a
second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view in the direction of arrows 5--5 in FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Details of a first embodiment of device 10 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
This embodiment is a self-contained, hand-held, portable, battery-operated
applicator. It comprises a housing 12 in the form of an electrically
conductive tube having a ninety degree bend, or elbow, nearer one end so
as to divide the housing lengthwise into a proximal and longer straight
hand-grip section 14, which is coincident with the lengthwise axis 16 of
the device, and a distal and shorter straight section 18 whose axis is at
ninety degrees to that of section 14.
An electric circuit board assembly 20 is mounted within housing 12
intermediate the ends thereof by suitable mounting means (not shown in
FIG. 1). A re-chargeable D.C. battery 22 is disposed within section 14
proximal to electric circuit board assembly 20 and is electrically
connected to electric circuitry on it. The proximal end of housing 12 is
closed by a removable end closure cap 24 which contains an externally
accessible re-charging socket 26 that is connected within the housing to
the circuitry on the circuit board assembly for enabling the battery to be
re-charged by connecting the socket to a battery re-charger.
Section 18 terminates distally in a circular opening to which a mating
circular insulator ring 28 is joined. A head assembly 30 closes the open
end of ring 28 in the completed device, and it is to be understood that
the head assembly is shown separated (exploded away) from the rest of the
device in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes.
Head assembly comprises an electrically conductive head member 32 which is
of circular shape and on which two solenoids 34 are mounted. Head member
32 removably assembles to the device to close the open end of ring 28
while allowing only the rounded tip ends 36 of the plungers 38 of the
solenoids to project exteriorly from the head. The axes of the plungers
are one hundred eighty degrees apart from each other and at equal radial
distances from the axis of the head. Wires from the two solenoids 34 are
electrically connected to the circuitry on the circuit board assembly.
Each solenoid 34 comprises a conventional coil winding 40, and with the
winding de-energized, the solenoid's plunger 38 is biased to a rest
condition. When the winding is energized, the plunger is displaced axially
a short distance from its rest position. This displacement distance is the
plunger's stroke. When the winding ceases to be energized, the plunger is
return stroked to its rest position.
Circuit board assembly 20 contains two oscillator/driver circuits 42, one
for each solenoid 34. FIG. 3 shows one of the oscillator/driver circuits,
and it is understood that there is a like circuit for the other solenoid.
Circuit 42 has positive and negative input terminals 44, 46 respectively
for connecting the circuitry on the circuit board assembly with battery
22. The oscillator portion of the circuit comprises two gates G1, G2, a
resistor R1, and a capacitor C1 connected as shown in association with a
touch switch 48. Closure of the touch switch starts the oscillator, and
opening of the switch turns the oscillator off. The oscillator output is
coupled through an RC coupling circuit R3, C2 to the base-emitter of an
NPN type driver transistor D1. Winding 40 of the solenoid is connected
between the collector of transistor D1 and positive terminal 44. Negative
terminal 46 is connected to the emitter of transistor D1. When the touch
switch is closed to operate the oscillator, the solenoid winding is
repetitively energized and de-energized to cause the plunger to be stroked
back and forth at the oscillator frequency.
Touch switch 48 is common to the oscillator portions of both circuits 42 so
that when the touch switch is closed, both plungers are stroked. Due to
component tolerances, the phases and frequencies of the strokes of the
plungers will not be identical, and hence the two plungers are said to be
asynchronously operating.
Device 10 is used by a person grasping section 14 and placing head assembly
30 against an area of his or her skin which is to be subjected to
treatment. The placement of the head assembly against the skin will create
conductive contact between head member 32 and the skin while also placing
the rounded plunger tip ends 36 against the skin. The contact between the
skin and head member 32 and the manual contact with housing 12 are sensed
by touch switch 48, and this results in the closure of the touch switch to
start the plungers stroking. Thus, sensing terminals of the touch switch
are respectively electrically connected to housing 12 and head member 32
respectively, and the touch switch is itself mounted on circuit board
assembly 20.
The stroking of the plungers creates repeated mechanical impacts with the
skin, and typically the person will manipulate the head over an area of
the skin so that the repeated impacts are felt over that area. The
application of a treatment procedure for a certain amount of time creates
a physiological response that has been found at least in certain cases to
mask pain. Thus the device of the present invention may be found by
individuals to promote some form of pain relief. Even if pain relief is
not an objective, the device may be used for other purposes, such as
therapeutic relaxation.
The inventor's studies to date have been limited to certain examples of
plunger stroke, plunger diameter, and stroke frequency since the number of
combinations of these parameters is quite large. However, it is believed
that strokes within a range of 0.020 inch to 0.100 inch, plunger diameters
within a range of 0.030 inch to 0.200 inch, and stroking frequencies with
a range of 2 hertz to 1,000 hertz are capable of producing desired
effects.
The example of device 10 represents a product that is intended principally
for personal use by individuals. Other larger embodiments are contemplated
and are suitable for use by one individual who renders treatment to
another. An example of such a device 50 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Device 50 comprises an applicator 52 that is connected to a power module 54
by a cable 56 that contains a number of electrical wires extending between
the two. The applicator is intended to by grasped by a person rendering
the treatment to a person being treated. It is applied to whatever area or
areas are to receive treatment.
Applicator 52 comprises a number of individual solenoids 34 which are
arranged in a rectangular m by n array. Each solenoid is connected via
wiring in cable 56 with its own oscillator/driver circuit 42 in power
module 54. The power module may be connected to an electrical outlet to
receive electric power and contains suitable means for converting the
usual A.C. power to the D.C. levels for operating the solenoids and the
electrical circuitry. It also includes an on-off switch in substitution of
the touch switch of the first embodiment.
As in the first embodiment, device 50 may operate its solenoids in
asynchronous manner. However, given an m.times.n array of the solenoids,
different modes of operation are possible. One mode comprises operating
the m rows only one row at a time while having the individual solenoids in
the operating row operating asynchronously. The only one row at a time
operation is conducted by operating the individual rows according to a
particular pattern, such as operating the rows consecutively sequence and
after all rows have been operated in this manner, repeating the sequence
beginning with the first row. In this way a uni-directional sweeping of a
skin treatment zone may be performed. Alternatively, the only one row at a
time operation may be conducted by operating the rows consecutively in
sequence and after the last row has been operated, reversing the sequence.
In this way a back and forth bi-directional sweeping of a skin treatment
zone may be performed. If stroking is to be done on a row by row basis,
then it may be unnecessary that each solenoid have its own individual
oscillator/driver circuit. For example, all solenoids in a single row may
share a common oscillator driver so that within the individual row, the
solenoids are operated substantially in synchronism.
In accordance with the inventive aspects, the stimulation by an individual
plunger is small so that the skin as distinguished from muscles is
affected. For this reason the inventive principles are quite separate and
distinct from principles of massage, and the devices that have been
disclosed herein are not considered body massagers. By repeated minute
stimulation in the vicinity of pain, a hypnotic type of effect seems to
occur which has been found to alleviate pain symptoms after an application
of perhaps two to three minutes. This affect has also been found to
prolong itself for extended times after the treatment application, even as
much as several hours. Accordingly, it is believed that this invention
represents a meaningful contribution to the technical field which is
capable of providing therapeutic benefit to many individuals.
An example of a specific solenoid 34 that is suitable for use in the
practice of the invention comprises 598 turns of 36.0 gage wire having a
resistance of 15.8 ohms. The overall length of the winding is about
one-half inch. The coil may be energized at a 10% to 20% duty-cycle using
an approximate 9.6 volt D.C. source.
Although it is not shown in the drawing, a removable plastic cap is fitted
over the head end of the device when the device is not in use so that
external electric continuity between the conductive head and the
conductive housing, and consequent running of the device, is prohibited.
When the device is to be used, the tubular cup-shaped cap is removed so
that external conductivity between the head and housing once again is
possible.
While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it should be appreciated that the principles of
the invention may be practiced by any specific means and methods that fall
within the scope of the following claims.
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